The Vietnamese delegation was led by Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung.
At the event, participants applauded the strides in implementing the instructions issued by the 21st ASEAN-China Summit in Singapore last November and the ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership Vision 2030.
Regarding orientations for future cooperation, the two sides agreed to press on with realising the ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership Vision 2030. They will also focus their cooperation on digital economy, e-commerce, cyber security, connectivity promotion, infrastructure building, transportation, development of the Greater Mekong Sub-region, support for small- and medium-sized enterprises, agriculture, innovation, and negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
China presented cooperation proposals in terms of smart city building, media exchange, and connection of its Belt and Road Initiative with ASEAN’s development plans.
Discussing the regional and international situation, ASEAN and China affirmed the necessity to build and consolidate an open, transparent, inclusive and rules-based regional architecture.
China voiced its support for the grouping’s central role and noted its hope for a united and unanimous ASEAN and a strong ASEAN Community. ASEAN countries also highly valued China’s role and participation in ASEAN-led forums. They hoped that China will continue making active and responsible contributions to peace, stability and sustainable development in the region.
The event also recognised the outcomes of the ASEAN-China senior official’s meeting on the implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), along with the progress in building a Code of Conduct (COC) in the waters.
Participants agreed on the need to fully implement the DOC and soon finalise an efficient and substantive COC supported by the international community.
Many countries stressed the importance of peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea. They called on relevant parties to exercise self-restraint, cooperate to build trust, avoid complicating the situation, and resolve disputes by peaceful means on the basis on international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
